Eyewear
Safety Information

Many
events have safety considerations that must be taken into account by team
members as well as coaches. Specifically, many events require that team members
bring the appropriate safety equipment (Personal Protective Equipment [PPE])
with them in order to compete. This section of the web site is devoted to
better understanding the Eyewear PPE associated with the Olympiad.

The
most misunderstood of the safety regulations is the use of safety goggles
versus safety glasses as well as the different types of safety goggles that are
available.

Contestants
are responsible for providing their own protective eyewear.Eye protection specified in the rules (#1,
#2, #3, #4, or #5) is the minimum required.Science Olympiad is unable to determine
the degree of hazard presented by equipment/materials/devices brought by the
teams.Adult coaches/mentors of
those teams must insure the eye protection they bring is adequate for the
hazard.Teams WILL NOT be allowed to compete without adequate eye protection. This in NON-NEGOTIABLE.

Protective eyewear used in Science
Olympiad must be manufactured to meet the American
National Standards Institute standard applicable at its time of manufacture.
The current standard is ANSI Z87.1-2003. Approved protective eyewear can be
identified by the mark "Z87" placed on it by its manufacturer. This
mark can be difficult to locate, especially on devices made of transparent
material.

This year there are 5 levels of eye protection that
are possible (#1, #2, #3, #4, or #5).ALL protective eyewear must not only conform to ANSI Z87 (or Z87+ for
Impact), but must provide a degree of protection equal to or higher than the
type described in the event rules.

#1. Safety Spectacles (ANSI Z87)

These are commonly referred to as safety glasses.
They provide particle protection only and may not be used in lieu of any other
type of protective eyewear.

#2. Safety Spectacles with Side Shields
(ANSI Z87)

Similar to Safety Spectacles above, they provide
particle protection only. These will be specified when there is a probability
of particles entering the eye from the side. This condition commonly occurs
when multiple contestants/teams are engaged in an activity simultaneously.
Safety Spectacles with Side Shields may be used in lieu of Safety Spectacles
without side shields.

#3. Particle Protection Goggles (ANSI
Z87)

These must seal tightly to the face completely
around the eyes and have direct vents around the sides. Direct vents consist of
several small holes or a screen that can be seen through in a straight line.
They may not be used when handling hazardous liquids because the vents provide
a direct path for the liquid to enter the eye. They may be used in lieu of
Safety Spectacles with/without side shields.

#4. Chemical/Splash Protection Goggles
(ANSI Z87)

These must seal tightly to the face completely
around the eyes and have indirect vents. These vents are constructed so that liquids
do not have a direct path into the eye. If you are able to see through the vent
holes from one side to the other, they are direct vents and the goggles may not
be used when Chemical/Splash Protection is required. Chemical/Splash Protection
goggles may be worn to provide particle protection in lieu of any of the types
mentioned above (#1-#4).

#5. High Impact Protection (ANSI Z87+)

Another attribute to be considered is Impact
Protection. Protective eyewear bearing the mark "Z87" provides basic
impact protection. Devices that meet the "High Impact" specifications
of ANSI Z87.1-2003 are identified by the mark "Z87+".

High Impact protection is indicated when there may
be a high inertia particle hazard (high mass or velocity). This will be
specified in the rules by preceding the type of protective eyewear above
(#1-#4) with the words "High Impact". e.g., High
Impact Particle Protection Goggles or Spectacles.

The
“high-impact” type of eye protection may look identical to ANY of
the above with the exception of the lenses having an impact rating!Be sure to see the “Z87+”
mark and not just “Z87”…as they are NOT the same thing!

Again, your safety eyewear must provide a degree of protection equal to
or higher than the type described in the event rules. Therefore, if an event calls for Type #2
eyewear protection then types #2, #3, #4, or #5 can be used; just not a
#1.The best course of action would
to use Type #5 eyewear as it covers all of the other versions and can be
universally used in all events!!